Well,

I've contacted two companies so far and their staff have been really 
helpful and timely with responses.  They both do door-to-door, but they 
both recommend that you do door-to-terminal because the terminal-to-door 
charges are usually set by their agents in the U.S. and they don't have 
much control over it.  They seem to have terminals in most states 
though.  Both companies have one within 1.5 hours from my home.  The 
shipping costs seem to run about 50-60,000 yen per cubic meter (weight 
is irrelevant as long as they can carry it from you apartment) for 
door-to-terminal.  If they have to crate anything such as furniture, 
that is an extra charge.  They were both a little fuzzy on the customs 
details but it seems if you do door-to-terminal you have to clear 
customs yourself somehow.  I'll have to check on what is involved with 
"clearing customs".

Not sure if 50-60000 yen/cubic meter is a good deal or not, but it's the 
best I've found so far.  If you want specific details about the 
companies, I can send them.

I didn't think I was going to be able to escape myself, but somehow the 
time is almost here :)

John


Medgya wrote:
> On Jul 5, 11:35 am, John <gh14...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> My wife and I are moving from Japan to the U.S. in August.  We probably
>> have about 3-4 cubic meters of stuff to ship.  Any suggestions on good
>> shipping companies that won't bust the budget?
> 
> I've always liked EMS or Yamato, but I've never tried to ship anything
> so large. If you use a shipping company, make sure you're clear about
> whether the price includes delivery to your door. Sometimes they only
> take things as far as a warehouse, and then call you to come and get
> the stuff. Not fun if the place is far away and you don't have a
> truck. Or it does go to a warehouse, make sure you know where that
> will be, and if there will be any warehousing costs.
> 
> Depending on the rates you might divide things into stuff you will
> need in the short term and stuff that can wait for a few months, then
> use surface or whatever for the stuff that can wait.
> 
> If you find a good deal, please post a note, eh? The longer we stay
> here, the more stuff seems to accumulate. At some point arson may be
> the only way out!